Connector Seal Assembly to Prevent Bunching During Mating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies face issues with unwanted displacement and deformation of seals under extreme conditions, compromising sealing quality and durability.
Innovation Solution
The connector assembly incorporates a seal configuration with evenly spaced seal-hangers and a seal-retainer to prevent seal bunching or rolling, ensuring consistent sealing performance during mating and unmating, using dielectric materials like polyamide for housings and a silicone rubber seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional seal configuration is used in connector assemblies, then the assembly structure is simple, but the seal experiences unwanted displacement and deformation under extreme conditions, compromising sealing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple functional segments: a tubular seal body with axial bore, reinforced by radial ribs, and equipped with a retention ring and positioning features. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function while collectively providing reliable sealing under extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal incorporates pre-formed positioning features such as engagement protrusions and recesses, along with a retention ring, that are built into the structure before assembly. These preliminary features ensure the seal maintains its intended configuration and prevents displacement during connector assembly and operation.
2Ease of operation
If the seal is allowed to move freely during connector mating and unmating, then the assembly operation is easier, but the seal bunches or rolls, deforming the sealing surface
Solution Approach 1:
The seal design incorporates localized structural features including radial ribs at specific positions, engagement protrusions at the distal end, and a retention ring at the proximal end. These localized quality enhancements provide targeted support and constraint exactly where needed to prevent bunching and rolling during connector operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is pre-configured with engagement features that interface with corresponding structures in the connector housing before assembly begins. This preliminary configuration ensures the seal maintains proper positioning and shape stability throughout the mating and unmating operations without bunching or rolling.
3Reliability
If the seal is made from rigid material, then the seal structure is stable, but the seal cannot accommodate vibrations and extreme conditions effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The seal utilizes silicone rubber material whose physical parameters (viscoelasticity, damping capacity, temperature resistance) are specifically selected to optimize performance under extreme conditions. This parameter selection allows the seal to accommodate vibrations and thermal-moisture extremes while maintaining structural integrity and sealing effectiveness.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A connector assembly (10) includes a first-housing (14), a second-housing (16), and a seal (12). The second-housing (16) is configured to mate with the first-housing (14). The second-housing (16) has a seal-support surface (22) having a first-surface (24) and a second-surface (26) perpendicular to the first-surface (24) and generally forming an 1-shape (30). The seal-support surface (22) includes a plurality of seal-hangers (32) projecting laterally from the first-surface (24). The seal (12) is in direct contact with the seal-support surface (22). The seal (12) defines a wall (36) and a lip (44) extending laterally from the wall (36). The wall (36) defines an inner-surface (46) that engages the first-surface (24) and an outer-surface (48) that engages the first-housing (14). The wall (36) further defines a plurality of apertures (58) configured to receive the plurality of seal-hangers (32). The lip (44) defines a base (52) that engages the second-surface (26) and a top that engages a leading-edge (56) of the first-housing (14). The plurality of seal-hangers (32) are configured to inhibit bunching or rolling of the wall (36) when the first- housing (14) is mated with the second-housing (16).